Porta potty etiquette: what do drivers wish every user knew?

The one thing I wish every user knew is that nothing but human waste and single-ply toilet paper belongs in the holding tank. Trash, cigarette butts, and cans clog the pump hose and can damage the vacuum truck. A clog requires a second trip, which the rental company usually bills as an extra service call.

For the standard unit, always latch the door. An unlatched door in high wind can tip the unit over, damaging it and creating a hazardous spill. On your ranch, staking the units down helps, but the latch is the first line of defense.

With an ADA-compliant unit, the common mistake is blocking the clear space in front of the toilet with gear or trash. That turning space is required by the ADA Standards for Accessible Design for wheelchair users to maneuver.

For a restroom trailer, users sometimes treat it like a residential bathroom and flush excessive paper or feminine hygiene products. This clogs the small-diameter plumbing fast. A restroom trailer has a holding tank just like a standard unit, just with flushing toilets. The rules are the same: waste and toilet paper only.

The driver also needs clear truck access on every service day. A blocked unit is logged as a missed service and the trip is usually billed. For a ranch, confirm the gate is open and the path is clear of vehicles or equipment when the driver is scheduled.

A restroom trailer requires level ground to prevent plumbing issues, and its generator needs fuel if it's not on shore power. Users often forget to check the fuel level, which leads to a dead generator and no lights or flushing pumps.

On the ADA-compliant unit, people sometimes force the wider door closed without ensuring the latch engages, which leaves it vulnerable to wind just like a standard unit. Check that it's secure.